A Simple Thank You - On November 11, 2026

Our thanks to Gretchen Huntley for allowing us to share her tribute to the fallen soldiers at the Remembrance Ceremony held in Gananoque, ON on November 11.

A Simple Thank You

The graves in the cemetery
Stand row upon row
With the names of the fallen
Who died years ago

They died for their country
And for their belief
Leaving loved ones at home
Filled with heartache and grief

Many of the markers
Look pretty much the same
But each one is carved
With a different name

If these soldiers could talk
They’d each have a story
Many of pain and anger
While others tell of glory

There are books and movies
By the score
To help us remember
These terrible wars

But in the end
Nothing can compare
To the reality
Of being there

So I ask you just for a moment
In your mind take a soldier’s place
Feel that cold November wind
Blowing against your face

Hear the shots being fired
There is no place to run
Bullets whistling through the air
Is this the day your life is done

Thankfully you are standing here
Alive and safe today
With only cold hands and feet
As you bow your heads to pray

Let us add a simple “Thank You”
For those protecting us every day
And may we never forget the many
Who sadly have passed away

Thank you,

By Gretchen Huntley, Poet Laureate, Town of Gananoque

TI Life has been fortunate that Gretchen Huntley often shares her work with our readers. Gretchen was appointed Poet Laureate for the Town of Gananoque in March 2021. In October 2024, Gretchen wrote "Tributes by Gananoque's Poet Laureate" for TI Life, and we have reviewed two small books that Gretchen recently published: "Reality and Me" by editor, Susan Smith in November, 2020 and "Poetry Through a Lens" by John Swift in June 2021. Both books featured photography by Sam Battams. If you are fortunate to meet Gretchen in Gananoque one day, I hope you will join me in thanking her for sharing her work.